LIVING  in a hot tropical country like the Philippines can sometimes be a pain in the head, causing unavoidable stress that can most certainly affect our bodies and well-being.  

Because of this unavoidable heat stress level that we come to endure during the dry season, our bodies and minds go through pain that activates our cortisol levels. 

Whenever we’re stressed, our body releases a hormone called “cortisol.” Oftentimes, we downplay stress as something that can be easily dealt with; because of this, we tend to overlook the negative effects it has within our bodies. 

Understanding cortisol 

Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is like a built-in alarm system in your body. It plays an important role in your bodily functions, such as:

• Keeping inflammation down
• Regulation of blood pressure
• Increase of blood sugar
• Managing how the body uses carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
• Boosts energy so that one can handle stress and restore balance afterwards

When a person is stressed, cortisol level increases. While the acute rise of the cortisol helps the body to prepare for stress, a surge to our “fight or flight” response results in an adrenaline rush. 

Whenever we’re in a state of adrenaline rush, our bodies go into a physiological change that increases our energy consumption, blood flow to the muscles, and mobilization of stored glucose. 

Anxiety, depression, and digestive problems are just some of the effects that cortisol has on our well-being. 

While it is so easy to get ourselves calm by sticking into a relaxing hobby or stuffing our faces with our dessert, bigger problems such as heart attack and stroke can occur if one is left unrelaxed. 

Nakakastress ang init ha! 

If there’s anything that we’re currently annoyed with during the dry season, it would be the unreasonably high heat index that not only burns our skins but also makes our head twist due to pain.

Heat stress can significantly affect our cortisol levels both chronically and acutely. 

It responds to heat stress by acting as a key hormone regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. 

The main key roles of cortisol when it comes to managing heat stress includes balancing fluid and electrolyte; and triggering inflammation and oxidative stress.

In response to the heat index that humans come to experience, cortisol levels increase as part of the body’s physiological stress response.

This is in an attempt to regulate various physiological processes that include blood pressure, blood pressure, blood glucose, levels, and immune function. 

After heat stress, cortisol levels return to baseline values.

Oh ikalma mo! 

While the excruciating heat is something none of us can’t control, what we can do now is to listen to what our body needs during the heat.

Always wear your sunscreen and only go outside when it’s needed. 

Don’t forget to hydrate yourself but drinking enough water and don’t ever feel guilty of treating yourself some ice cream from time to time.